Circular hose clamp

ABSTRACT

An elongated strap is secured in a spiral form by a band. The band engages a shoulder formed at a first portion of the strap and a second end portion of the strap extends tangentially from the spiral at the band. Aligned apertures are formed in the band in alignment with one aperture formed in the strap adjacent the shoulder. This exposes, in the apertures, strap material from the other strap convolutions which is deformable to secure the clamp in a clamped condition.

nited States aten ollingsworth et al.

[ Sept. 10, 1974 CIRCULAR HOSE CLAMP [75] Inventors: Elmont E.Hollingsworth, Winona,

Minn.; Llewellyn 0. Storlie, Decorah, Iowa 7 [73] Assignee: DecoProducts Company, Winona,

[58] Field of Search 285/365; 24/20 R, 21, 22, 24/23 W, 20 W, 20 "IT, 20CW, 20 LS, 23 R,

[56] References" Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 190,641 5/1877 Stouffer' .l24/23 W 193,946

8/1877 Hamilton 24/21 2,312,575 3/1943 McKee 24/23 W 2,727,720 12/1955Barth 24/21 3,235,925 2/1966 Gerhardt et a]... 24/20 C W 3,588,9656/1971 Terkel et al.... 24/23 W 3,754,303 8/1973 Pollock 24/23 W PrimaryExaminer-Donald A. Griffin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Merchant, Gould,Smith & Edell 5 7 ABSTRACT An elongated strap is secured in a spiralform by a band. The band engages a shoulder formed at a first portion ofthe strap and a second end portion of the strap extends tangentiallyfrom the spiral at the band. Aligned apertures are formed in the band inalignment with one aperture formed in the strap adjacent the shoulder.This exposes, in the apertures, strap material from the other strapconvolutions which is deformable to securethe clamp in a clampedcondition.

12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures s'msas PAIENIED sin 0am /5 Prlor Art /8PIIOF Art 9 k w t 2% H, r. 53/ A m f w. n a w 1 CIRCULAR HOSE CLAMPBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. .Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates generally to clamps and specifically to a spirallywound circular hose clamp.

2. Description of the Prior Art Prior art hose clamps of theabove-character are disclosed in FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings. Eachincludes a spirally wound strap which is held in a spiral form by atransverse band or buckle. One end of the strap is anchored to the bandby backfolding it over a portion of the band disposed interiorly of thespiral form. The outer end of the strap extends tangentially fromthespiral form at the band. Normally, a tool is provided for impartingrelative movement to the outer, tangentially extending end of the strapaway from the band to cause clamping movements of the spiral form on ahose or the like and then, the portions of strap underlying the band aredeformed to securethe clamp in a clamped condition. The clamps may alsobe secured by bending the outer end of the strap to extend generallyradially from the spiral form to form a stop shoulder and then removingthe excess strap.

The above clamps have become extremely popular for clamping operations.However, such priorart clamps have disadvantages which make clampingoperations extremely difficult and which often result in either partialor complete failure of the clamp. By way of example, FIG. 1 illustratesa clamp wherein at-least four thicknesses of material must be deformedto adequately secure the clamp in a clamped condition. This, of course,requires relatively heavy deformation forces. Quite often such hoseconnections are not adequately supported to be able to withstand suchforces. In addition, folding back the inner end of the strap to anchorthe band, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, provides a protrustion interiorlyof the clamp. Such a protrusion requires that a greater force be appliedin order to achieve an effective clamping condition of the spiral form.Since the tool used in the clamping operation mediate portion of thestrap is wound into a spiral form with the second end portion extendingtangentially therefrom. An elongated band extends transversely of thelongitudinal axis of the strap and is formed to engage the shoulder andsecure the strap in the spiral form. Aligned apertures are formed in theband which are in alignment with the aperture in the strap throughoutclamping movements of the spiral form to expose a minimum thickness ofmaterial to be deformed to secure the spiral form in a clampedcondition. The first end portion of the strap adjacent the shoulder isdisposed in juxtaposition with an adjacent convolution of the spirallyformed intermediate portion to provide a nearly circular configurationto reduce the force necessary to effect a clamped condition.

. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings whereinlike characters indicate like parts throughout the views:

FIG. 1 isa sectional view illustrating the construction of a prior artcircular hose clamp;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the construction of anotherprior art circular hose clamp;

FIG. 3 is'a fragmentary plan view of a securing band or buckle of theclamp of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of a circular hose clamp constructed inaccordance with the present invention, mounted on a hose; 4

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view as seen generally from the line 5-5of FIG. 4; 7

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective of a portion ofthe clamps of FIGS. 4 and 5; and

must bear against the band to draw the spiral form tight, the bandoftenbecomes deformed or tears to render the clamp useless.

FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings illustrate a prior art force required tosecure the clamp by reducing the a thickness of the material at thecenter of the band. However, this clamp-still presents four thicknessesof material to deform. This thickness is substantially equal to that ofFIG. 1 and requires substantially equal force to deform. I

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a circular hoseclamp including an elongated strap having a shoulder formed therein atthe juncture of a first or inner end portion and an intermediateportion. An aperture is formed in the strap spaced from the shoulder inthe direction of a second or outer end portion of the strap. The inter-FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary. sectional view similar to a portionof FIG. 5 illustrating an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring initially to FIGS. 13 of the drawings, two generally similar prior art devices areillustrated and are indicated by the reference numerals 10a, 10b.Inasmuch as the clamps 10a, 10b are generally similar in construction,like parts thereof will carry like numerals. As shown, each of theclamps 10a, 10b includes an elongated spirally wound strap 11 and atransversely extending band or buckle 12 which maintains the spirallywound strap 11 in its spiral form. The buckle 12 includes a portion 13disposed exteriorly and a portion 14 disposed interiorly of the spiralform of the strap 11. The interior portion 14 has an opening 15 formedtherein. An inner end of the strap 11 is bent back upon the interiorportion 14 of the buckle 12 to anchor the buckle 12 with respect to theinner end portion 16. The outer end 17 of the strap 11 extends generallytangentially from the buckle l2 and the spiral form of the strap 11. Theclamps 10a, 10b are shown as being positioned on a conduit 18 and a hose19 telescopically received on the conduit 18.

Referring specifically to clamp 10a in FIG. 1, it is normally moved to aclamped position on the conduit 18 and hose 19 by use of a tool, notshown, but which is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,067,640, issued to V.Lodholm, Dec. 11, 1962. Briefly, the tool is engaged between the bucklel2 and the tangentially extending end 17 to move the tangential end in adirection away from the buckle l2 and to draw the spiral form into tightengagement with the hose 19. Thereafter, the end 17 may be bent to aposition wherein it extends radially from the hose clamp a and thenexcess material is completely removed as disclosed in the above patent.As shown in FIG. 1, anchoring the band 12 by the inner end portion 16results in a projection which protrudes into the hose 19. Thus, agreater force must be exerted between the buckle l2 and outer endportion 17 to effect a seal in this area. As it is desirable to limitthis projection to a minimum, the thickness of the material forming thebuckle 12 must also be held to a minimum. Consequently, the forceapplied between the buckle l2 and outer end portion 17 often deforms ortears the material of the buckle 12, causing failure of the clamp 10a.

An alternate method of securing the clamp 10a in its clamped conditionis through the use of a center punch or the like 20. The punch-20deforms the exterior portion 13 of buckle 12 and underlying portions ofthe strap 11, causing the deformed portions to protrude into the recessformed by the opening 15. Due to the particular construction of theclamp 10a, it can be seen that at least four thicknesses of materialmust be deformed to adequately secure the clamp in its clamped position.This, of course, requires that relatively heavy blows be applied to thepunch with a hammer, or the application of considerable force by someother tool. Often, the lack of backing for the hose 19 and clamp 10a, orspace restrictions, prevent such forces from being delivered.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a prior art clamp 10b which was designed toovercome the problem of the buckle 12 being deformed or otherwisedamaged during clamping operations by increasing the thickness of thematerial in the buckle 12. This increased the strength of the buckle 12but also increased the size of the protrusion into the hose 19 and thecombined thickness of the portions which are to be deformed to protrudeinto the opening 15. An attempt to reduce the force necessary toaccomplish such deformation was made by reducing the thickness of theexterior portion 13 of the buckle 12, as at 21. However, this did littleto reduce the force necessary to deform the strap 11 as compared to thatrequired to deform the structure of FIG. 1.

The present invention, indicated generally at 25, is constructed toeliminate the problems described above. An elongated strap 26, having anintermediate portion 27 and first and second end portions 28 and 29, isprovided. A shoulder 30 is formed in the strap 26 at the juncture offirst end portion 28 and the intermediate portion 27. An aperture 31 isformed in the strap 26 and is spaced from the shoulder 30 in thedirection of the other or second end portion 29. The intermediateportion 27 is wound upon itself into a spiral form with first endportion 28 being the inner end of the spiral. The second end portion 29extends tangentially from the spiral as shown in FIG. 5.

Retainer means in the nature of an elongated band 33 maintain theintermediate portion 27 in its spiral form. The band 33 extendstransversely of the longitudinal axis of the strap 26 and includesportions disposed exteriorly and interiorly of the spiral form which areindicated respectively by the numerals 34, 35. The interior portion 35is normally in engagement with the shoulder 30 as shown in FIG. 5. Theexterior and interior portions 34, 35 have aligned apertures 36, 37respectively formed therein. The aligned apertures 36, 37 are positionedin alignment with the aperture 31 in the strap 26 throughout clampingmovements of the spirally wound intermediate portion 27 as long as theinterior portion 35 remains in engagement with the shoulder 30.

To overcome the problem of deformation or tearing of the band 33 duringclamping operations of the clamp 25, the band 33 is constructed from amaterial which has a thickness dimension substantially greater than thatof the strap 26 and greater than that of the buckle 12 of the clamp 10aillustrated in FIG. I. This increased thickness of the band 33 iscompensated for by positioning the first end portion 28circumferentially of the band 33 in juxtaposition with an adjacentconvolution of the spiral form. This reduces the size of the inwardlyprojecting portion, as compared to the buckle l2 and end portion 16 ofthe prior art and results in a more nearly circular configuration of theclamp 25. Typically, clamps of the present invention have either two orthree thicknesses of strap material disposed between the exterior andinterior portions 34, 35 of the band 33. In either case, providingaligned apertures 31, 36 and 37 in the strap 26 and band 33,respectively, assures that only two thicknesses of strap material willbe exposed in alignment with the apertures 31, 36 and 37 through allclamping movements of the spirally wound intermediate portion 27regardless of the size of the hose 39 and conduit 40 on which the clampis mounted. The structure of the present invention provides an enlargedcavity formed by the combined apertures 31, 37 into which the twothicknesses of material may be deformed with an expenditure of much lessforce than heretofore possible. In addition, the more nearly circularconfiguration of the clamp 25 requires the application of less forcebetween the buckle 33 and the end 29 to move the spiral form intosufficient clamping engagement with the hose 39 and conduit 40. Theincreased thickness of the material forming the band 33 providesstructure which is sufficiently durable to withstand such forces. InFIG. 7 of the drawings, an alternate embodiment of the clamp 25 isillustrated and is generally indicated by the reference numeral 25'.Clamp 25 is generally similar to clamp 25 and like parts thereof willcarry like numerals with a prime mark added. As shown, Clamp 25' differsfrom clamp 25 in that the first end portion 28' of strap 26' is foldedbackwardly upon itself as at 45. Backfolding the first end portion 28'causes the free end thereof to be moved into a position wherein it canform the shoulder 30. The shoulder 30', like shoulder 30 of clamp 25, isengageable by the interior portion 35 of band 33' to maintain theapertures 31, 36 and 37 in alignment throughout clamping movements ofthe spirally wound intermediate portion 27'. The above-described clamp25 provides structure which overcomes the objections heretoforedescribed as being present in the prior art clamps illustrated in FIG.l-3 of the drawings.

We claim:

1. A circular hose clamp comprising:

a. an elongated strap having an intermediate portion and first andsecond end portions;

b. a shoulder formed by said strap at the juncture of said first endportion and said intermediate portion;

0. said intermediate portion being wound upon itself into a spiral formand having a plurality of convolutions, with said first end portioninside the spiral and with said second end portion extendingtangentially therefrom;

d. retainer means engageable with said shoulder and maintaining saidintermediate portion in said spiral form so that relative movements ofsaid second end portion away from said retainer means imparts clampingmovements to said intermediate portion; and

e. said first end portion being disposed circumferentially from saidretainer means in juxtaposition with an adjacent convolution ofsaid'spiral form.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said retainer means is an elongatedband extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said strap andincluding portions disposed exteriorly and interiorly of said spiralform, said interior portion being in engagement with said shoulder.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said band has a thickness dimensionsubstantially greater than that of said strap.

4. The structure of claim 2 in which said exterior portion of said bandhas an aperture formed generally cen trally therein.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein said interior portion of said bandhas an aperture formed therein in alignment with said aperture in saidexterior portion whereby thicknesses of strap material exposed inalignment with said aperture in said exterior portion can be deformedinto said aperture in said interior portion.

6. The structure of claim 4 wherein said strap has an aperture formedtherein, said aperture being spaced from said shoulder in the directionof said second end portion whereby said aperture in said strap is inalignment with said aperture in said exterior portion throughoutclamping movements of said intermediate portion when said band is inengagement with said shoulder.

7. The structure of claim 5 wherein said strap has an aperture formedtherein, said aperture being spaced from said shoulder in the directionof said second end portion whereby said aperture in said strap is inalignment with said apertures in said exterior and interior portionsthroughout clamping movements of said intermediate portion when saidinterior portion is in engagement with said shoulder.

8. The structure of claim 7 wherein said intermediate portion is woundupon itself to form at least three thicknesses of strap material at saidband, wherein two thicknesses of strap material are exposed in alignmentwith said apertures in said strap and band and wherein said twothicknesses are deformable to protrude into said apertures in said strapand interior portion of said band to lock said circular hose clamp in aclamped condition.

9. The structure of claim 1 wherein said first end portion is foldedbackwardly upon itself and in which the free end of said first endportion forms said shoulder.

10. A circular hose clamp comprising:

a. an elongated strap having an intermediate portion and first andsecond end portions;

b. a shoulder formed by said strap at the juncture of said first endportion and said intermediate portion;

c. said intermediate portion being wound upon itself into a spiral formand having a plurality of convolutions, with said first end portioninside the spiral and with said end portion extending tangentiallytherefrom;

d. retainer means engageable with said shoulder and maintaining saidintermediate portion in said spiral form so that relative movements ofsaid second end portion away from said retainer means imparts clampingmovements to said intermediate portions; and

6. said strap having an aperture formed therein, said aperture beingspaced from said shoulder in the direction of said second end portionand positioned to underlie said retainer means.

11. The structure of claim 10 wherein said retainer means is anelongated band extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of saidstrap and includes portions disposed exteriorly and interiorly of saidspiral form, and wherein said interior and exterior portions haveapertures formed generally centrally therein.

12. A circular hose clamp comprising:

a. an elongated strap having an intermediate portion and first andsecond end portions;

b. a shoulder formed by said strap at the juncture of said first endportion and said intermediate portion;

c. said intermediate portion being wound upon itself into a spiral formand having a plurality of convolutions, with said first end portioninside the spiral and with said second end portion extendingtangentially therefrom;

d. retainer means engageable with said shoulder and maintaining saidintermediate portion in said spiral form so that relative movements ofsaid second end portion away from said retainer means imparts clampingmovements to said intermediate portion; and

. said retainer means being an elongated band extending transversely ofthe longitudinal axis of said strap and including portions disposedexteriorly and interiorly of said spiral form, said interior portionbeing in engagement with said shoulder and said exterior portion havinga generally centrally disposed opening formed therein, said openingbeing sufficiently large to accommodate a punchingtool.

1. A circular hose clamp comprising: a. an elongated strap having anintermediate portion and first and second end portions; b. a shoulderformed by said strap at the juncture of said first end portion and saidintermediate portion; c. said intermediate portion being wound uponitself into a spiral form and having a plurality of convolutions, withsaid first end portion inside the spiral and with said second endportion extending tangentially therefrom; d. retainer means engageablewith said shoulder and maintaining said intermediate portion in saidspiral form so that relative movements of said second end portion awayfrom said retainer means imparts clamping movements to said intermediateportion; and e. said first end portion being disposed circumferentiallyfrom said retainer means in juxtaposition with an adjacent convolutionof said spiral form.
 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said retainermeans is an elongated band extending transversely of the longitudinalaxis of said strap and including portions disposed exteriorly andinteriorly of said spiral form, said interior portion being inengagement with said shoulder.
 3. The structure of claim 2 wherein saidband has a thickness dimension substantially greater than that of saidstrap.
 4. The structure of claim 2 in which said exterior portion ofsaid band has an aperture formed generally centrally therein.
 5. Thestructure of claim 4 wherein said interior portion of said band has anaperture formed therein in alignment with said aperture in said exteriorportion whereBy thicknesses of strap material exposed in alignment withsaid aperture in said exterior portion can be deformed into saidaperture in said interior portion.
 6. The structure of claim 4 whereinsaid strap has an aperture formed therein, said aperture being spacedfrom said shoulder in the direction of said second end portion wherebysaid aperture in said strap is in alignment with said aperture in saidexterior portion throughout clamping movements of said intermediateportion when said band is in engagement with said shoulder.
 7. Thestructure of claim 5 wherein said strap has an aperture formed therein,said aperture being spaced from said shoulder in the direction of saidsecond end portion whereby said aperture in said strap is in alignmentwith said apertures in said exterior and interior portions throughoutclamping movements of said intermediate portion when said interiorportion is in engagement with said shoulder.
 8. The structure of claim 7wherein said intermediate portion is wound upon itself to form at leastthree thicknesses of strap material at said band, wherein twothicknesses of strap material are exposed in alignment with saidapertures in said strap and band and wherein said two thicknesses aredeformable to protrude into said apertures in said strap and interiorportion of said band to lock said circular hose clamp in a clampedcondition.
 9. The structure of claim 1 wherein said first end portion isfolded backwardly upon itself and in which the free end of said firstend portion forms said shoulder.
 10. A circular hose clamp comprising:a. an elongated strap having an intermediate portion and first andsecond end portions; b. a shoulder formed by said strap at the junctureof said first end portion and said intermediate portion; c. saidintermediate portion being wound upon itself into a spiral form andhaving a plurality of convolutions, with said first end portion insidethe spiral and with said end portion extending tangentially therefrom;d. retainer means engageable with said shoulder and maintaining saidintermediate portion in said spiral form so that relative movements ofsaid second end portion away from said retainer means imparts clampingmovements to said intermediate portions; and e. said strap having anaperture formed therein, said aperture being spaced from said shoulderin the direction of said second end portion and positioned to underliesaid retainer means.
 11. The structure of claim 10 wherein said retainermeans is an elongated band extending transversely of the longitudinalaxis of said strap and includes portions disposed exteriorly andinteriorly of said spiral form, and wherein said interior and exteriorportions have apertures formed generally centrally therein.
 12. Acircular hose clamp comprising: a. an elongated strap having anintermediate portion and first and second end portions; b. a shoulderformed by said strap at the juncture of said first end portion and saidintermediate portion; c. said intermediate portion being wound uponitself into a spiral form and having a plurality of convolutions, withsaid first end portion inside the spiral and with said second endportion extending tangentially therefrom; d. retainer means engageablewith said shoulder and maintaining said intermediate portion in saidspiral form so that relative movements of said second end portion awayfrom said retainer means imparts clamping movements to said intermediateportion; and e. said retainer means being an elongated band extendingtransversely of the longitudinal axis of said strap and includingportions disposed exteriorly and interiorly of said spiral form, saidinterior portion being in engagement with said shoulder and saidexterior portion having a generally centrally disposed opening formedtherein, said opening being sufficiently large to accommodate a punchingtool.